Known in Australia as the Bandicoot berry, this shrub is a well-known pioneer species, and related Leea species occur throughout Southeast Asia and Asia, usually also in successional habitats.

The leaves of this species are alternate and two-times compound and the leaflets are toothed. At the base of the leaf stalk there is a large stipule.

An astute observer might notice the similarity of the flowers and fruits to those of grape vines, and indeed, this shrubs belong to the grape family (Vitaceae).

This fast-growing can grow to a 4m or higher, but plants that are commonly encountered by roadsides are typically no taller than 2 meters.

The species produces very straight green stems, and have to my understanding been used by aboriginal people as spears.

This species was previously know in Australia as Leea indica, but recent molecular studies (Molina et al. 2013) have restricted the name of this species to specimens from India, and named the Australian specimens L. novoguineensis.

Share this:

Like this:

LikeLoading...

Related

About David Tng

I am David Tng, a hedonistic botanizer who pursues plants with a fervour. I chase the opportunity to delve into various aspects of the study of plants. I have spent untold hours staring at mosses and allied plants, taking picture of pollen, culturing orchids in clean cabinets, counting tree rings, monitoring plant flowering times, etc. I am currently engrossed in the study of plant ecology (a grand excuse to see 'anything I can). Sometimes I think of myself as a shadow taxonomist, a sentimental ecologist, and a spiritual environmentalist - but at the very root of it all, a "plant whisperer"!

About the Plant Whisperer

Been in Australia for a decade gazing at plants, both large and small, grass and tree, rain forest and savanna, tropical and temperate. I love connecting with people with similar interests. You can read more about me on my About page and at my personal BLOG.

Search for:

Botanizer meter:
435 species, 1210 photos

Most recent:Pothos longipes

Blog Stats

92,720 hits

Categories

Categories

Email Subscription

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Finding the kernel of truth Ever wondered where the expression “a kernel of truth” comes from? It is fascinating to me that “truth” is associated with plant kernels. Why this association? Is “truth” hard? Or is “truth” hard to find? Perhaps then, another question could be “What is a kernel”? Colloquially, the term “kernel” is used to refer to any kind of har […]

Transformed trees! Drought changes the plumbing system of rainforest treesTrees in tropical rainforests play an important role in the water balance of the planet. Every tree is like a fountain, drawing water up from the soil and putting it out into the atnosphere. Just one large mature tree may transpire well over 100,000 litres of water a year. Imagine how […]

The Knights among giant treesEucalyptus viminalis (White Knight) It has been some time since I last visited Tasmania, but the memory of meeting giants (trees) there remain fresh in my memory. To put it more accurately, emblazoned into my psyche. Among the giants one could meet in Tasmania, the White Knights would certainly be among the most unforgettable, pa […]